Comic Book Review - The77 Issue #5
Rob reviews The77 Issue 5...
It's Saturday (actually it's now Wednesday!)...I've just been for my first COVID-19 vaccination (Pfizer), my arms a bit sore, and The77 has arrived on my doorstep (with two copies of Starblazer, and another copy of The SheerGlam Conspiracy - this one signed by Steve MacManus). So aside from the potential side effects from Mr Pfizer - today is a good day...
The77 Issue 5 is the latest release from The77 Publications. As always funding for issue 5 took place over on Kickstarter with the Issue raising £9,516 courtesy of 344 backers. This time around I went for the 'Signed Sawyers Archival Print + Comic' backer reward. I'm a big fan of Andrew Sawyers so it was a natural choice (although Ben Macleod's Trackless Depths variant was extremely tempting!).
With that said and done let's crack on with the review...
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As Anat and the Resistance set their plan to capture the time travel device in motion, a more immediate threat looms on the horizon. With the treat coming from the skies, the Resistance retreats to the sealed off underworld. But is what's waiting for them friend or foe?
Steve Bull and Ade Hughes up the ante in this episode. Not only do we get more slithers of world-building, but we're also introduced to a potential new faction of entirely different characters. Hughes also gives us some great artwork with plenty of gorgeous sci-fi goodness (spaceships!). With time travel now firmly in the mix, it will be interesting to see where this one going - or coming from.
Trackless Depth (Final Part)
Dave Bedford's nautical horror story has reached its finale. With the crew succumbing to the hallucinogenic effects from the 'terror of the deep, it's down to the First Officer Charlie Cahill to slay the monster or to die trying.
Trackless Depth has been a great tale from start to finish. Bedford has captured a claustrophobic and helpless feeling throughout as the crew battle with each other and the monster. Mac's soft linework keeps up with what we've seen before and does a great job in throwing terror that's unfolding right at us. With The Trackless Depth ending this issue, I already can't wait for what could come next.
Extinction 2040
Paul Goodenough and Ian Stopforth team up to bring an almost Mad Max inspired tale of a post-apocalyptic world with social media. This opener doesn't give a lot away in terms of the general plot, character motivation etc. From what I can tell is that social media seems to have played a part in the world's downfall - which is a very real threat!
What we see of the world feels very reminiscent of post-apocalyptic tales such as Mad Max and that of the video game series, Fallout. With a cliffhanger ending, I'm interested to see what happens - even if I don't know what's going on.
Chi77er: "I know The Secret Of The Alien"
The Traveler returns with another Chi77er tale, this time we're looking to the stars as Aliens roam the streets. Mike Powell and Mike Collins dive into the heyday of the late 1970s. Star Wars is all the rave, UFO's have been spotted above, and an eager TV exec waiting to cash in on it all.
"I know The Secret Of The Alien" feels very much like a 2000AD Futureshock. It's a nice story, with a brilliant twist and who knows...maybe a little truth!?
The Cell
After surviving an earthquake the human prisoners find themselves in a deserted and decaying city (sounds familiar?). To stop them from learning the truth Valkyr13 and her troops are sent into the underworld to terminate any survivors.
Remember back in my now non-existent review for The77 #1 when I compared The Cell to 2000AD's own Judge Dredd? Well, the comparison keeps coming as Bambos Georgiou and Andrew Sawyers gives us another action-packed trip to their dystopia. As The Cell is now off to take a well-earned interval, Sawyers will turn his attention to Silver Jubilee which is written by Dave Heeley. And speaking of...
Division'77
Dave Heeley and Gary Burley bring us more military sci-fi action as Division'77 comes into contact with Division 96. The Grakkon are no longer pulling the strings and as such the Human side of Shard and his fellow Division'77 soldiers is starting to come through.
There's plenty of humour as Heeley's cyborg cast trade insults and jibes at each other as they battle the Denocylins. There's plenty of action throughout this one, with a shock ending to bring it together.
Undertow (Final Part)
The Jack of All Trades has finally found the weapon that he's been looking for. With his mission for the 'Shao Kahn-a-like' nearly over Jack's suddenly thrust into another adventure. With an unexpected alliance, Jack and this newcomer head off into the sunset.
I've said it before and I'll say it again...Undertow needs more pages. As Joe Dunn's story starts to pick up the pace, it then comes to its conclusion and as such I'm not sure if Undertow works in a serialised format. However, what we do get is some great art from Jeremy Dunn and yet more questions.
Penny Pentagram Occult Detective: Howling Moonshine (Final Part)
David Thomas and Jon Roydon's tales of Werewolves and magic bows out on a high. With the werewolf still stalking Penny and Sam, it's down to some terrible Latin and a little help from a celestial body to save the day.
So, Penny's first adventure has come to its conclusion and it's been a great tale. Jon Roydon's art has been brilliant throughout Penny Pentagram's debut. Even with the "cartoon" styling, the horror aspect of two teenagers battling a werewolf comes across to the reader. David Thomas has the beginnings of something that can easily expand in both scale and dynamic and I hope it isn't long before Penny and Sam are back in The77's pages.
And now I know why the Warewolf sounds like a Shakespearean thespian...
Martian Law: Marty's Martian Mining Mission - Part 2 (Final Part)
Brendon Wright takes us on a final trip to Mars as we catch up with the events in the Martian Mine. With everyone's favourite Gran waiting outside, it's down to Sherrif O'Martyan and Eugene to survive the horrors of the mine...and hopefully, live to see the next series.
Whilst I initially didn't "get" Martian Law, this two-parter has brought the series into its own. Wright's story has some truly colourful characters with each bouncing off the other with relative ease. Gran is arguably the greatest character who seems like she'd give anyone a run for their money. I hope that Banksy gives Brendon Wright another series as Martian Law deserves to be expanded.
SGT. Shouty Of The Moon Force
SGT. Shouty is one tough S.O.B. not only does he get to battle a plank of wood, but he also starts intergalactic wars. With Dr Plank now on the run - thanks to social media. SGT. Shouty then inadvertently starts a war as he insults an alien dignitary.
Lew Stringer continues to bring a lot of humour to his loudmouthed SGT. From Dr Plank shedding his skin to a literal "Butt-Face", this one oozes from Stringer's work on the Beano.
Red By Night Black By Day
John Dee is an interesting character. From being Elizabeth I's chief advisor, to then turning to the Occult, to then being accused of spying for the crown. Dee's life was anything but boring. But what if he'd opened a portal to another world and used its inhabitants to chart the metaphorical rise of the British Empire.
This new debut series by Jo Heeley follows a very different Britain to what history dictates. As Goblins, Dwarfs, and Fairies roam the streets, mysterious powers operate from the shadows.
As openings go, Red By Night Black By Day is off to a great start. Heeley gives just enough exposition to pique interest, yet doesn't give too much away. And who doesn't like a good fantasy story?
All in all, The77 Issue 5, is arguably my favourite issue so far. Everything just clicks and the issue is full of varied strips with some great writing and artwork. With various strips ending within this issue, that leaves plenty of spaces for new adventures and new experiences. 2020 was an incredible year for Benksy and the crew and 2021 is shaping up to be The77's year too!
Rating 10/10
Be sure to check out The77 on Kickstarter for the next funding campaign.
The77 can also be purchased via the online store by clicking here
Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev
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